THE WORLD'S COAL PRODUCTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 29

THE WORLD'S COAL PRODUCTION.

The world's produce of coal during 19C6 was 1,013,644,524 metric tons, an increase of about 72,000,000 tons on the previous year; the value of the 1906 output is given ac upwards of £344,000,000, or about £39,000,000 above tho previous year's. Of this total output the United Kingdom produced 255,096,661 metric tons, and tjie British

Empire's contribution was 289,037,607 tons. The United States was the heaviest producer of all, heading the list- with 375,721,018 tons; and the German Empire produced 193,537,493 tons Of the gross increase of 72,000,000 tons, Germany coni tributed 19,727,000 tons, the United States 1 19,445,000 tons, and the British Empire | 19,000,000 tons. France's coal output in 1906 (34,196,385 tons) was less by 1,731,000 tons than in the previous year. India was the greatest coal-producer in the British Empire, except, of icourse, the United Kingdom; hex output was 9,940,247 tons; Canada was second with 8,995,810 tons, closely followed by Australia with 8,734,368 tons; then, a long way behind, came the Transvaal with 2,623,947 tons, and NewZealand with 1,757,291 tons. Austria- , Hungary turned out 45,243,965 tons, Bel- | gium 23,569,860 tons, Russia 21,643,800 tons, and Japan 12,980,103 tons. MYSTERY FLAT GOLD DREDGING COMPANY. The annual meeting of shareholders in ' the Mystery Flat Gold Dredging Companywas held in the Stock Exchange Hall last night. Mr A. Cowie presided, and there were 10 shareholders present. In moving the adoption of the, annual report and balance sheet, the Chairman said he had to report a very prosperous and successful year. A glance at their report and balance sheet would show that the claim had produced 7190z of gold more than the previous year. Last year the claim paid . 100 per cent, on the company's capital, and I this year it had done still better by^ paying ' 115 per cent, on the company's ' | During the past year several very sub- ; stantial renewals had been effected on the . dredge, notably a new steel sluice-box, ; and as their .ladder had been showing signs , of giving way a new .steel ladder had' been made end was ready to be sent forward as I soon as necessary. Also, during the year an almost complete band of new buckets had been put on, and several other minor but useful alterations carried out. One in particular was the supply of clean water for ' the boiler from their water race, the .result of which would be lees wear and tear on the boiler and a' saving in coal. A good stock of coal was always kept on hand in case of floods in the river, when the waggon was unable to cross. There was no doubt the company was fortunate in having the services of such a capable master as Mr Ayson had proved himself to be. He was always carrying out some useful improvement, and did not wait until parts of machinery broke before ordering new. ■ Br this means he kept the dredge in con- | tinual work. Mr Ayson had a first-rate crew along with him, who displayed a very keen and active interest in their work, and no doubt the company's system of ! bonuses helped to recompense them for ' their interest. He himself had been up at ' the olaim recently, and although, unfortunately., the dredge was not working at the timo he had found everything looking very well. The return obtained since then had been a very handsome one indeed. He thought the company had every prospect of experiencing another year equally as prosperous as the last ; indeed, his opinion was , that it would continue to pay larger dividends vcar by year. He had much pleasure in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet. A question with regard to an item in the . balance sheet having been satisfactorily ■ answered by the secretary, the motion was duly seconded, and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Rutherford, Mr John Christie (the retiring director) was unanimously re-electedu The directors' fees ) were fixed at £36, the amount previously paid. Mr James Brown was again appointed auditor at the same remuneration as last year. Mr Downie asked the chairman to give 1 them his opinion of the lifetime of the , claim and her present prospects. The Chairman said that the prospects were particularly good. The last weekly return had been 520z, and previously they had got 270z for 80 hours' work. During his visit the dredgemaster had stated that he was almost sure that prospects would improve shortly, and that forecast had proved right. Last year they had paid 115 per cent, on their capital, and this year he would not. be surprised if they did better still. With regard to the lifetime of the ■ claim, he had gone into that matter very carefully with the dredgemaster, and could say that on the flat there was at least four more years of constant dredging to be got. On the terraces, which had hwn r>reviously worked in the early days, there was fully ,' two years' work. In answer to' a further question from Mr Downie, the Chairman said he thought it would be wise to sink a few holes to test the terraces. At present they were taking the whole claim in the face right in front of them with the exception of the edge of the hill, in which there was no gold, A 1 very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the dredgemaster and orew, and also to the secretary, whose services re- ( ceived very high commendation from ; 6everal speakers. j DUNEDIN STOCK EXCHANGE. Another quiet week has been experienced on the Exchange. In dredging business has been mostly restricted to some lalf dozen stocks. Golden Beds eased j.s a. result of a. poor return last week, bat it is generally anticipated that an improvement will shortly take place. A considerable number of Hartley and Riloy shares changed hands during the week at prices ranging from 17e 6d to £1 Is. The uncertainty that prevails regarding Talismans is somewhat puzzling to the lay shareholder, bul mining men are inclining to the opinion that the trouble is not of a serious nature*. They consider that the manager is doing the comet thing in pumping from tho No. 12 level, as he is thus saving 200 ft of vertical pumping, and has also the advantage of the pressure of the body of water admitted against a. further inflow. This should enable tin 1 brown water to be gradually drain. 11 -! ci'f. Wai his are holding firm in the Aicinity of £9 ss, and Grand Junction* are fluctuating slightly. It is expected that eciue attention will be given by speculator 1 } to Thames stocks as a result of the '•oooni decision to probe the deep lovols. l>ur:ri£C the week the Welcome Quarty Mining Company, whose property, between Flat and Deep Streams probably contains- a. continuation of the Borewood line of roefs, was registered on the Stock Exchange. Investment stocks are generally weak, and this is likely to continue until cheaper money is available. The exceptions are j Milburn Limes and Kauri Timbers, tho latter of which took a rice during the week,

probably in anticipation of increased divi- T dends. > "• The' news of this week's large return from the Hartley* and Riley. dredge brought, about a further- rise in this stock, a parcel of which changed' hands at _£1 Is in the afternoon. A sale at the same figure was reported in the morning. Tasmania-n Coppers brought 6s -3d. There was a buyer of Worksope at £1 17s 6d, and of Welcome Quartz at 2s 3d (premium). -The closing quotations for Talismans were £2 i and £2 0s 9d. A parcel of 50 New- Alpine Consols j changed hands at 10s on Monday, but j no other business .was done on 'Change yesterday. Talismans continue easy, the closing quotations being £1 18s and £1 19s 9d. "The following are Monday's latest quotations, subject to the usual brokerage: — Dredging Stocks Alexandra. Eureka — Sellers 4s 3d. Chicago — Buyers 6s. Electric— Sellers 8s 6d.' Golden Bed — Buyers Bs, sellers 10s. Hartley" and Riley — Buyers 18s, sellers £1 Is. Lady Roxburgh (contrib.) — Sellers Bs. Manuherikia— Sellers 19s 6d. Mystery Flat— Sellers £2. ? New Alome Consols— Buyers 9s 6d, sellers 11s. New Tralafgar (ex div.)-rJ3uyers 17s, sellers 19s 6d. Pactblus — Sellers 13s. Sailor's Bend— Sellers 15s. Mixing Stocks. Big River— Buyers £1 10s, sellers £1 14s. May Queen — Buyers 2s 3d. Welcome Quartz — Buyers 2s 6d (prem). Hercules — Buyers 11s. Talisman Consolidated — Buyers £1 18s, sellers £1 19s 9d. Waihi— Sellers £9 4s 9d. Waiotahi-r-Sellers 3s 3d. Golden Belt (paid)— Buyers Is Bd. August 25.— Hartley land 1 Riley, 19s; Waiotaki, 3s 2d; Loan and Mercantile, 4s. August 26. — Hartley and Riley, 18s. August 27.— N.Z. Crown Mines,— 4s Id; Hartley and Riley, £1 (two parcels); N.Z. Paper Mills, £1 2s 9d ; Milburn Lime and Cement (£1 paid), £l 9s- 6d. August 28:— Hartley and Riley, £1 Is; Tasmanian Copper, 6s 3d. * Sales reported:— Golden Bed, 9s 6d; Hartley and Riley, ill Is. — . DREDGING RETURNS. Oz. dwt. gr. Hartley and Riley, Cromwell, 126hrs 195 8 0 Mystery Flat, Waikaia, 136hrs 52 2 0 Rise and Shine No. 1, Clutha River, 103hrs 50 10 0 Manuherikia, Alexandra, week- 50-0 0 Electric No. 2, Cromwell, week 45 0 0 Electric No. 1' Crom welt, 127hrs '43 1 0 Masterton, • Waikaia, 138hrs ... 41 9 0 Golden "Treasure, * Miller's* Flat,.week .... 38- 10 0 Rising Sun, Cromwell, 134hr5... 36 4 0 Chicago. Alexandra^ 118hrs ... -33" 13 '16 Waikaka United No. 1, Waikaka, 120hrs 28 1 0 Waikaka- United No. 2, Waikaka, 72hre ■ 28 1-0 Enterprise, Alexandra, 126hv5... 23 6 0 Otago No. 1, • Miller's Flat, 135hrfe .... 23 0 0 Otago No. 2, Island Block, 143hrs 22 0 0 Kura, Waikaia, 175hrs 21' 9 0 Waikaka Queen, Waikaka, 131hrs 19 13 0 Golden Bed, Miller's Flat, l3ohrs :. ... .\. 19 7 0 Molyneux Hydraulic, Alexandra, 7 days .- 19 0 0 Golden Gem, Miller's Flat, wk 18 15 0 Rise and Shine No. 2, Clutha River, 126hrs 18 10 0 Clutha River Tributers, week 18 5 0 Central Charlton, near Gore, • 136hrs 17 4 0 Muddy Creek, Waikaia, 125hrs 15 16 0 Punt, Clutha River, 133hre ... 15 10 0 Koputai, Waikaia, 125hrs ... 15 5 0 Riley's Revival, Cromwell, 115hrs 15 . 0 0 Welshman's, Waikaia, 112hrs. . 9 15 0 Waikaia, Waikaia, 138hrs ■• 9 13 0 Alpine Consols, Cromwell, 45hrs 7 7 0 Total 930 14 16 The West Coast. Blackwater River, I23hrs 28 0 0 New Trafalgar, 116hrs 26 17 0 Pactolus No. 2, 123hrs 20 17 0 Pactolus No. 1, 138hrs 20 2 0 Worksop, 125hrs 14 0 0 Total 109 16 0